Hopkin's Prairie Campground in the Ocala National Forest

[@hikewithmike4673]

cool turtle....Me and the swamp camper hiked from Juniper Springs to Hopkins Prairie a couple of years ago..it was awesome!

[@John-Sherwood-W4JFS]

Thanks for watching! I love those woods and that little campground. Lots of memories there.

[@freedomfred6518]

Nice video thanks for posting it. I just stayed at the Fore Lake Campground in the Ocala National Forest. They had a very nice bath house, potable water taps everywhere, nice Beach, beautiful picnic Pavilions and a dump station. The nightly fee there was $12.

[@John-Sherwood-W4JFS]

FreedomFred that sounds like a deal. That the same cost at Hopkins but without all that extra stuff. Is that price with a special pass?

[@freedomfred6518]

John Sherwood no, that's the regular price. I got a pass while I was there, using the America The Beautiful program. Since I have a US military injury, mine was free as they are for all service-connected veterans. Thus my camping fee to stay at Fore Lake was half price at a mere $6/night. I made a video tour of Fore Lake as well.

[@vincentperkins3022]

You should try out Goldhead State Park if you have not already. It is very nice and lots of trails. The Florida trial goes through it. The Turkey Oak campsites are the best in Goldhead for tents. Thanks for the information. I have wanted to camp in the Ocala National Forest but have not as of yet.

[@John-Sherwood-W4JFS]

Thanks for watching and your comment. I haven't been to Goldhead Park yet but I will check it out. Hopkin's is a really beautiful campground. Just remember it doesn't have running water electricity or showers. You have to bring your own drinking water.

[@FloridaBoyBushcraftSurvival]

When I was a kid we used to call those "chicken turtles", for what reason I have no idea...lol. I need to make a trip up there soon now that hunting season is over.

[@John-Sherwood-W4JFS]

I saw it called that on a ID chart for reptiles in Florida. I don't know how it got its name. It's something to look up someday. The campground is very nice for what it is. Because it's primitive (no running water), it keeps a lot of people away. There is hunting right now but it's only small game (no centerfire rifles). Thanks for watching!

[@hawnt1]

is there room for a 5th wheel (35') camper, or is it pretty much tent and small rigs

[@Veldvaardigheden]

Very nice place for camping , I usually camp "wild" haha .

[@John-Sherwood-W4JFS]

I like to primitive camp too. You can do that in the Ocala Forest except during centerfire rifle hunting season. The forestry people want everyone to camp in these "hunt camps" so you don't get accidentally shot in your camp by a hunter that did not know you were there. Everyone knows where these established hunt camps are and hunting is prohibited around them. Any other time you can camp anywhere in the forest boundary you want.

[@Veldvaardigheden]

Thank you for the explanation, I rather be on a safe campsite to during hunting season haha .

[@alexsummy7509]

Which site is better? this or Juniper Springs? I plan on coming down there this winter. How difficult is it to sneak into the shower at the more developed campgrounds around there?

[@John-Sherwood-W4JFS]

Alex Summy I haven’t been to Juniper in many years but I prefer Hopkins because it is primitive and it is cheaper. I like the prairie too. The big camps like Juniper and Salt Springs are heavily used too. As for the showers, I think they charge $5 to use them. At least that is what the rate is at Salt Springs Campground. I hope you enjoy Ocala National Forest.